Swiss Stories

Florence Schelling

Florence Schelling, the woman at the top of a once male-dominated world

Society
SC Bern is Switzerland's largest ice hockey club, with a CHF 60 million budget and home crowds of up to 17,000 spectators. It has won the Swiss championships 16 times. And it has just appointed a woman as its new general manager and sports director, a first in the sport's history. The smart, self-assured 31-year-old from Zurich used to play in goal for the women's national team. Now she's ready for her next challenge, and it's a surprise choice that has created a stir around the world.

by Bertrand Monnard

Comedias y dramas: cine suizo de todos los géneros

A brief (and thrilling) history of Swiss cinema

History
Swiss cinema is modest compared to the big guns in Hollywood, but it plays a crucial role in defining the country's identity. Join us for a look at some of the key films from each period.
asteroid

Outer space: the Swiss women looking to the stars

Science & Education
Women took an interest in space long before the space agencies undertook to diversify their teams of astronauts. Three Swiss women with their feet firmly on the ground and their faces turned to the stars share what attracted them to the space sector.

by Geneviève Comby

Bains des Pâquis

Better together : the free spirit of Geneva’s Bains des Pâquis

Society
Ever since 1932, the heart of Geneva's harbour has been home to an odd-looking, reinforced concrete cruise ship that never leaves its spot. Its purpose? To give passengers from all walks of life a warm and friendly place of rest and relaxation. 365 days a year, they flock to it in their thousands from all four corners of the city – to eat, swim or just stroll around this jealously-guarded spot of freedom.

by Miguel Quintana

©️ Eawag, Tobias Ryser

Eawag – managing a precious resource

Science & Education
The Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) works tirelessly to harmonise ecological, economic and social interests in relation to water usage. The organisation thus serves as a bridge between the scientific world and the 'real world'.

by John Durham

CaSSIS

CaSSIS, a Swiss-made Mars camera

Science & Education
A Swiss-made device has been orbiting and photographing Mars since 2018. It has obtained over 30,000 images to date. Developed by a team at the University of Bern, the CaSSIS camera system has sent spectacular images of Mars that have created a global sensation.
Winegrower Marie-Thérèse Chappaz in her vineyard © 2013 Dominique Derisbourg

Swiss wine embraces its feminine side

Society
The number of female winegrowers in Switzerland is increasing all the time. Their wines are as reputed as those of their male counterparts and many have won awards. We talked to four Swiss women who have made a career in winemaking, each in a different canton.